Crews make steady progress on clearing county roads

Recent winter weather has left many roads covered in snow and ice, but officials in area counties remain hopeful conditions could improve soon.

Cape Girardeau and Scott counties have dispatched trucks to clear roads buried under nearly a foot of snow brought to the region by a winter storm this week.

Scott Bechtold, highway administrator for Cape Girardeau County, said crews don't have a set priority list when it comes to clearing roads, but they try to seek the busiest routes when they begin their shifts. The county relies on six road graders, five snow plows and seven cinder spreaders to make roads more passable. Backhoes also are used to clear county parking lots.

That's about three times more than the equipment Scott County has. Its fleet consists of two motor graders, two tractors with attached blades, a backhoe and a pickup truck with an attached blade. Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger said crews have been vigilant in their efforts to make roads more accessible.

"I'd say 70 to 75 percent of the roads have had at least one pass [by snow plows] to get at least one lane open," he said. Scott County maintains about 330 miles of roads.

Likewise, Bechtold said the majority of Cape Girardeau County's roads -- which account for slightly more than 400 miles -- have seen at least one round of plowing.

"We probably got over 300 miles [Monday], at least one pass, but it was snowing so hard," he said. "We understand people calling and saying, 'Hey, you didn't come by here,' and we tell them we're on our way and we'll get there as fast as we can."

Crews in both counties are averaging about 11-hour work days as they try to clear roads. Burger said Scott County likely will continue with that schedule throughout the week until conditions improve. People have been considerate, he said, and minimal traffic means crews have been able to make good headway.

Burger said the county has managed to get many roads passable thanks to rural residents who have used with their own tractors and equipment to help clear roads or make a path for neighbors in need.

Bechtold said crews in Cape Girardeau County would likely resume eight-hour days later this week. The county doesn't have enough employees or machinery to operate 24 hours a day, he said, and the long shifts pose a safety threat.

"When you're on those county rural gravel roads, especially when it's blowing and drifting, it's hard to tell where the road is," Bechtold said.

In Scott and Cape Girardeau counties, equipment did get stuck or slid off the road and require assistance, but none of the incidents was severe.

The lack of available -- and in most cases, affordable -- road salt left many cities and counties with a shortage. As a result, many mixed salt with other materials to make the supply last longer.

Bechtold said cinders were spread on Cape Girardeau County roads, which helps vehicles gain more traction and helps melt snow. Severely cold temperatures diminish the capabilities of salt and cinders, he added.

Burger said Scott County had trucks out hauling sand at intersections and some of the steepest hills in an effort to improve traction.

Once roads have been cleared to open at least one lane, the two county officials said crews then will focus efforts on moving snow further off the roads to widen accessibility.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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